The University’s key financial figures

The University of Helsinki’s finances took a significant downturn from 2015 to 2016. This was caused by cuts to the government budget. In addition, the University of Helsinki lost more than €30 million with the discontinuation of the pharmacy compensation and tax.

Despite having its funding cut by nearly €60 million in 2016, the University managed to successfully balance its finances with an extensive change programme. The deficit of the University's operations was €4 million. The University received €8 million in income from dividends and selling securities, bringing the University’s total result to a surplus of €4 million.

Revenues and expenses

Core funding 2010-2020

Development of core funding granted by the Ministry of Education and Culture 2010-2020, million € (incl. pharmacy compensation for 2010-2015)​

Components of the surplus

In 2016 the University's operations showed a deficit of €4.1 million.

Net income from investments amounted to €5.7 million and income from funds to €2.7 million. In 2016 the University’s overall result showed a surplus of €4.3 million, which represents 0.6% of its overall expenditure.

Components of surplus 2010–2016, €m​

Surplus as a percentage of total expenses

Surplus for the University’s own operations as percentage of total expenses (€1,000)

Sources of total earnings

In 2016 the University of Helsinki’s total income amounted to €692 million, which means a decrease of €58 million from the previous year. The University’s total income consisted of core funding, external funding and the University’s own revenue from investments, proceeds from University of Helsinki Funds and fundraising.

Sources of total earnings (%), 2016​

Total expenditure

The University’s total expenses were €687 million (decrease of 2.4%). The largest expense items were staff expenses at €411 million and rents at €95 million. Staff expenses decreased by €30 million.

Total expenditure 2016​

External funding

In 2016 the University’s income from external funding amounted to €257 million, which accounts for 37% of its total income. External funding decreased by one per cent from the previous year. For the most part, external funding is competitive research funding (€188 million, 73%), and the rest is other external funding (€69 million, 27%). The amount of research funding grew by €2 million from 2015.

External funding 2016​, %

Sources of external research funding

External research funding comes from the Academy of Finland, the European Union, businesses, foundations, as well as from local authorities and other sources.

In 2016, of the total sum of €188 million in external research funding, €155 million came from Finland and €33 million from abroad. The share of international research funding was 17%.

The amount of research funding granted by the Academy of Finland decreased by €1 million.

Sources of external research funding 2016

Funding for faculties

The share of core and external funding varies from unit to unit. On the Kumpula and Meilahti campuses, the share of external funding was 51%. On the Viikki Campus, the share of external funding was 45% and on the City Campus 31%, representing the lowest ratio to the total income.